Suzana Brooks (left) focuses on what Michael Harris, well-known musician, has to say at a Digicel Rising Stars contestants' workshop, held at Television Jamaica.

Growing up as a child, Suzana Brooks always wanted to do music. Now, after participating in a recently concluded Digicel Rising Stars contestants' workshop, the talent-show hopeful believes the lessons given will serve her well as she makes strides towards her professional career.

"The advice they gave today about respect in or outside the studio, to even the men behind the cameras was tremendously important," she said.

Brooks and her fellow mates were focused for most of the day. As Headline Entertainment representatives, Carlette Deleon and Jerome Hamilton, public relations specialist Robert Nesta-Morgan, from Alykhat Promotions and well-known musician Michael Harris, shared with them the must-have priorities for artistes in the industry.

"They were telling us some good stuff and over the years I have seen people who love music and do music good, but don't have these qualities. I am leaving high school this year and I plan to make good in this competition," said 17-year-old Brooks.

two sessions

The workshop, which was held on Friday at Television Jamaica, on Lyndhurst Road, was the first of two sessions and is organised by telecommunications giants Digicel. The contestants, who came in from auditions at Portmore, MoBay and May Pen, will be hoping to be named as a top finalist as the competition moves into high gear.

Deleon also urged the contestants to make the most of the opportunity presented to them by Digicel and warned the contestants that for an artiste to win over the love of fans, they must develop a very good personality.

"All of you are merely the face of a team. This is an opportunity to showcase you on the big stage," she said.

In support of Deleon's comments, Hamilton and Morgan outlined the importance of always being punctual, the responsibilities of an artiste to his/her patrons' expectations and business and legal affiliations that come with the job.

different theme

Carlette Deleon from Headline Entertainment speaking to contestants at the Digicel Rising Stars contestants' workshop, held at Television Jamaica. - Roxroy McLean photos

Meanwhile, the show's producer Sharon Schroeter, welcomed and congratulated the contestants for making it thus far, but warned that the competition would not be easy and contestants must vie hard if they were to have any hope of winning it.

"Welcome again to Rising Stars sixth season and I must say congratulations for making it this far," she said, before she announced the different theme nights for the competition.

Schroeter also announced that Digicel has dedicated the first theme night to Michael Jackson who recently passed on.

The first theme night will be called, 'A Night Dedicated To Michael Jackson', and then there will be Reggae/Dancehall night, followed by Retro night (where contestants will perform hit songs raging from the '60s and '70s), and Unplugged nights, where no instruments will be used. There will also be a Gospel night, and then contestants will have the luxury of selecting a song of their choice during My Way night. There will also be a Then And Now night, followed by Guest Artiste and Rock night.

The Judges Pick theme night will see out the last of the theme nights.